West Ashley rape encourages women to take self-defense class

June 5, 2011 at 8:30 PM EST - Updated June 24 at 7:14 AM

WEST ASHLEY, SC (WCSC) - Charleston Police are still on the lookout for a suspect accused of carjacking and raping a woman that occurred two weeks ago in West Ashley. In light of the recent attack, a local self-defense training center hosted a free seminar for women on Saturday.

More than 40 women showed up at the Krav Maga Training Center in West Ashley to learn moves that will help protect them against their attackers.

Krav Maga is a self-defense technique for men and women of the Israeli Defense Forces and is required training for scores of law enforcement agencies right here in the United States. Krav Maga helps person to defend themselves in a real-life situation, emphasizing practical defenses against real attacks.

"A person will either fight, flight or freeze in their situation," said Shaquana Grant. Grant represents a non-profit group called Hispanic Victims Advocate for People Against Rape. "If you fight back you actually increase your chances of surviving the attack," she said.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice more than 2.5 million women experience violence annually. Statistics also show that every 90 seconds a woman in raped in America.

Matt Robinson, a Krav Maga Instructor, believes in empowering others to know how to protect themselves and go home safely. "Learning self-defense is not just learning to kick and punch an attacker. Self-defense begins with not thinking of oneself as a victim," Robinson said.